Snowy sunrise

I had wanted a photo of the birds standing on the snowman's carrot nose, but my coming outside (and the carrot falling down) sent them away.

Here is a photo of the sunrise instead.

I had wanted a photo of Mrs. Chicken in the snow, the tone of her voice, when I opened the door, was priceless. "Brrrrrrrock!'

She went back inside, all the while tutting at me for trying to lure her out with treats. 

The Mrs. Turkey is not at all phased by the snow, and proceeded to gobble up all the treats. 

The hatchlings have taken every duvet, sheet and table cloth to build a big den, and today we must head into the village for hatchling no5's appointment. As such, I had better get some hatchlings bathed.

I hope your day started as lovely as mine.

Gentle November morning

The sun rise over the frosty field was beautiful this morning, 

and two puppies watch the turkeys dance.

'It is too cold to play outside.'

I am sure that is what their expressions say.

Girl puppy closes her eyes for photos, every time. 

I do not know why.

The turkeys stand and watch the sun come up, all city of angels like.

Then they primp and pluck,

and do their look at me I'm so handsome dance.

The girls watch and rate them.

You think I am talking about the female turkeys?

I'm sure they judge them, 

but I'm referring to my Strictly come dancing obsessed hatchlings.

Who watch from the play room, and hold up score cards for the turkeys.

Strictly come turkey.

It is a thing.

 At least, it is here.

Using the picnic table

The turkeys like to stand and groom themselves on our picnic table. 

Which is currently beyond yucky for picnicking.

Hopefully a pressure wash and a new coat of paint will breath new life in to it come spring.

Until then, it is their perch.

They roost on my not so welcome mat too...

I don't think they care about my opinions on these things.

I do think, however, that my post lady has some opinions though, about the family with the rather large dogs, and birds... 

I've gotten her a bottle of brandy and a tin of celebrations for Christmas. 

I hope it will makes a dent in the thank you she deserves for tolerating my overly affectionate animals.

Contrary to appearances, these turkeys believe they are lap pets. 

They don't see a need for someone to come and go quickly. 

Like a busy post lady.

They chase her to her van, and churip at her to stroke them, and maybe even let them push their way into her vehicle.

Yeah, she is a patient lady.

Referencing a conversation about trying to get a beach ball in an oven.

I thought the picnic table provided a good size reference.

I sure hope that won't be a problem.

This pic has a female Cambridge bronze turkey standing next to the male Norfolk black. I've been pleasantly surprised how well the girls have kept up in size.

So, for photo reference, these are 18 week old turkeys.

Bath day

Bath day,

 for the birdies.

The turkeys are all scrubbed clean now.

Whether they wanted to be or not!

Polly want a cracker

'I know you are in there. I see you eating, and I want it... all of it.'

This is my kitchen window.

My turkeys sit and watch, while churip churip'ing during every meal.

They are cheeky beggars. 

We free feed so they have a constantly full trough, and yet they are certain that we keep all the best for ourselves.

Turkeys dine al fresco

Each morning we wake up, and the turkeys are waiting just in front of the kitchen window.

They watch us eat breakfast and wait for the hatchlings to come pour their extra porridge out, because turkeys are impatient. 

They watch, and gobble, which actually sound a lot more like a wobba wobba wobba churip churip.

 As they look all forlorn waiting for their breakfast.

It has been a busy weekend over here, which I'll post a bit more about later in the week.

That's not your (Turkey edition)

That is not your house.

That is not your gate.

That is not your coop.

That is not your wall.

That is not your garden.

Here he is!

That is my turkey herder.

Good work hatchling!

Now,  about getting the others off the roof of our house....

Turkey update

Just an updated pic of the turkeys at 7 weeks. 

They are gaining size on the ducks. 

In fact the have taken over the ducks yard. 

One duck thought he might try charging a turkey, then thought better of it.

Now, there is harmony amongst the birdies.

Happy 7 weeks turkeys, you big birdies you!

2 weeks old

When choosing turkeys, we choose three different breeds. 

We wanted to try out a variety to determine what breed works best for us.

Certain breeds grow larger than others and we'd ideally like to find a personable breed.

This one of our slate blue turkey chicks.

This is a Cambridge Bronze turkey chicks.

This is a of the Norfolk Black chicks.

Standing in the sunshine.

Can you see the Bronze chick?

Doing his little look at me dance.

I'm guessing he is male.

If you'd like to find out more about turkey breeds, this website does a great job of defining breed standards. 

http://www.turkeyclub.org.uk/

Turkey birth announcement

Welcome 

to 

the 

world

little birdies!